[What’s wrong with this article?]

"New Poll Finds 74% Of Americans Would Be Comfortable Blaming Female President For Problems." The Onion. April 1, 2015. Accessed July 12, 2015.

Research English 1010:

Should parents be legally required to vaccinate their children against measles, chicken pox, and other common childhood diseases?

Andy BellLibrarian, Coffey Library, Oak Ridge Campus

Research English 1010:1. Analyze the question.

(Choose keywords.)2. Discuss opinions/facts.3. Discuss the reliability/authority of sources. 4. Identify some sources for starting research.

Research English 1010:

Analyze the question:1. What kind of question are you being asked?2. What is the primary concern of the question?3. What are keywords in the question?

Research English 1010:To answer an argumentative question:

Express an opinion, and support it using facts.

Opinion, n. What or how one thinks about something; judgement or belief.1

Fact, n. 7. That which is known (or firmly believed) to be real or true; what has actually happened or is the case; truth attested by direct observation or authentic testimony; reality.2

1. "opinion, n.". OED Online. June 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/131891?rskey=OxbvPR&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed July 12, 2015)

2. "fact, n., int., and adv.". OED Online. June 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/67478?rskey=GARtpW&result=1&isAdvanced=false (accessed July 12, 2015).

Research English 1010:Types of sources:

Primary (eyewitness accounts, journal entries, letters, video or audio recordings, emails, research data, websites*)

Secondary (news articles*, research articles*)

Tertiary (text books, reference books)

*(Source’s category depends on what information one is seeking, and in what academic discipline one is working [ex. sciences vs. history].)

Research English 1010:The role of sources:

The best way to make an argument is to support an opinion with facts.

The best way to demonstrate facts is by citing reliable/authoritative sources that provide them.

Research English 1010:Citation of sources:

Provides a written record of where you found information, so that you or someone else can find it again.

Creates a trail to the ‘direct observation’ or ‘authentic testimony’ of a fact.

Research English 1010:The authority of sources: 1. Credentials (degrees, professional qualifications) 2. Reputation (opinion of their peers) 3. Purpose (goal of writing: to inform? persuade?) 4. Bias (improper motivation or prejudice)

Should be applied to: 1. Authors2. Publishers

Research English 1010:Authoritative Sources:

General Information (introduction/facts)

Oxford English Dictionary*Oxford Reference Online*Gale Virtual Reference* CDC.govWikipedia (only as a starting point)

*Sources can be accessed from the library homepage using the ‘Databases A to Z’ link under the ‘Research Tools’ tab.

Research English 1010:Authoritative Sources:

Opinions Opposing Viewpoints in Context*Points of View Reference Center*National Newspaper Index*

Fact-CheckingFactCheck.orgPolitiFact.comSnopes.com

*Sources can be accessed from the library homepage using the ‘Databases A to Z’ link under the ‘Research Tools’ tab.

Research English 1010:

Thank you for your attention!

What questions do you have?

Your librarians are always happy to help!

Andy BellLibrarian, Coffey Library, Oak Ridge Campusabell@roanestate.edu(865) 481-2004

Research English 1010:

[What’s wrong with this article?]"New Poll Finds 74% Of Americans Would Be Comfortable Blaming Female President For Problems." The Onion. April 1, 2015. Accessed July 12, 2015.